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Comment by mafuy | Hacker News Reader

They are indeed part of the problem, but you cannot blame them. You have to blame those who caused their situation to be so dire, making them lack support.

These people work 2 jobs, have a young kid, a demented parent or a bedridden sister that need constant support. If they take the time to give a shit about politics, their dependent dies. You don't seem to know how incredibly stressful and exhausting the life of some people is.

Do something about their situation that gives them the time to participate in real life. Don't blame them for trying to survive with all their might, and not go to council hall twice a week.

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I learned about the earlier generations of my family. The massive difference is how much more socially connected they were. They walked to grocery stores because the grocery stores were within walking distance because they had to be (perishable foods were not refrigerated). They walked to work and lived blocks away from their business (great grandfather owned a service station). Their friends were the people in the businesses between home and work. They rode streetcars to travel around. The great- generation of my family was born 1908 and 1910. My grandparents conveyed these stories of how they lived and how their parents lived.

In your dire example, the missing component is how older generations socialized organically and effortlessly. They might be caring for their dependent, but the minute they left the house, they experienced social interaction. I certainly feel like modern day is vastly different and creates the isolation you describe.

>If they take the time to give a shit about politics, their dependent dies.

Meanwhile, their healtchare provider canceled on their parent because they gaslit the family into saying "this isn't covered in out service" and the parent dies. Because they did not give a shit about politics.

This isn't asking for a part time civics duty hobby. Just to stop pretending all politicians are the same and take a few hours to vote. It'll save you a few weeks of battling with UnitedHealthcare over a very treatable issue.

>Do something about their situation that gives them the time to participate in real life.

That also requires votes and calls to the represenatives.

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